One more time, Dutch has an XJ again!!

[DutchVDub]

Like my new truck? Its a 4dr w/ a 16ft flat bed.

So I finally got done swapping all of my power steering out. I got a rebuilt box thats tapped and ported for hydraulic assist from Tom

Got a reman pump from VatoZone

I also picked up a small cooler for it

I put the cooler right behind the grill

The only other thing I want to do is add in a small in-line filter but I'm not in a huge rush for it either. Once I get my front D44 built and a matching rear axle I'll add the ram for assist and I'll definitely make sure to have the filter installed by then.

 

[in4aride]

Why did you have your new truck in the ghetto?!

 

[DutchVDub]

I was slumming it

 

[in4aride]

Damn hookers

 

[eflores]

i picked up an MJ there once

 

[DutchVDub]

I just scored a killer deal on a Corbeau Baja RS recining suspension seat w/ XJ specific bracket. I probably shouldn't have spent the money but I couldn't turn down the deal.

I also stayed up until almost midnight and got my RADesigns Rail II shifter installed along with the switches for by TC lock-up and to go back and forth between the shifter and TCM for trans cntrol. The swith up on the center console is for the shift controller and the switch down by the shift lever is for the TC lock-up.

 

[DutchVDub]

Trying to get some stuff knocked out on my trailer so I can get it out of the garage and free up space for working on the bumpers people ordered.

I never liked the way the boards went into the dove-tail. They were always coming loose and falling out. I finally got fed up with it and removed the boards. I'm using this scrap piece of 3/16 plate to make runways for tires. Once those to pieces are in I'm going to cover them and the remaining open space between them w/ 1/8" tread plate. I was going to just run the tread plate across the enitre width but thats stuff is expensive so I went with 1/8" to save money. I just don't trust the 1/8" to not bow in real bad after a few cars go over it, hence the scrap 3/16 running under it where the tires will be traveling. Is it overkill? Probably, but wait until you see what I do for the fenders.

One side in place, now that I've had an A/C break its time to get the other side cut and welded in place. (anybody have an extraa swamp cooler they want to donate to my south facing garage? )

 

[DutchVDub]

I finished welding in the other 3/16 plate and then got the first piece of floor plate in too. Its freaking hotter than a fat ladies ass crack in my garage though.

 

[DutchVDub]

And its all finished up although if I were to do it again I would put the middle piece of floor plate in prior to putting the floor plate over the 3/16 sections. That way I could've overlapped the center section of floor plate and not be left with gaps betwee the different sections. I could've butted them up together but didn't want them to vibrate against each other so I left a bit of an extra gap.

 

[eflores]

that shit is slick in the rain dude

 

[DutchVDub]

That's why it's just the dovetail. The main deck will stay wood.

 

[DutchVDub]

Well I had a great day. I got to wheel some awesome trails I've never been on before, get some food and beverage at Tommy Knocker's, and upon arriving back at home I completed a transaction on my Iroks. I got 4 near new 35" BFG Krawlers on Allied Beadlocks plus a fair amount of cash for my 42's. What an awesome day.

 

[in4aride]

Gonna groove em?

 

[DutchVDub]

Probably not, but I might get them siped.

 

[in4aride]

Blah don't sipe em.

 

[DutchVDub]

Googled it and didn't really see anything on people needing/wanting to groove the Krawlers except when they're worn. Mine are all at 22/32 tread depth, and thats what the spec sheet says they're supposed to have brand new.

 

[in4aride]

Grooving just allows the tread blocks to flex better so tires wrap around the rocks better.

Most people online will also tell you not to run 35's on less than 6" of lift.....

 

[DutchVDub]

Don't worry, I've got 4" spacers and lift blocks on the way.

 

[in4aride]

Perfect. you'll be fine once you get some 60's under it to handle the monster tires

 

[DutchVDub]

Actually, no joke. I was talking to my buddy about saying f* it on selling my front HP D60 nobody seems to want and just narrow/shave it for the XJ instead of building the D44 for it.